Disposable pressure container

ABSTRACT

A disposable, self-destruct, composite container for liquid goods, and in particular, liquid goods having internal pressures, such as beer and carbonated soft drinks. The container includes an elongated body member comprising a paperboard cylinder which is provided with a plastic film on its internal surface for restricting gas permeability and sealing of liquid. The paperboard body member is provided with an exterior coating of thermoplastic to provide a moisture barrier, and for cosmetic appearance purposes. The paperboard body member is closed at each of the top and bottom ends thereof by a circular-shaped disc. The top disc has an opening which is enclosed by a sealing plug means that includes an integral tear-off tubular cap portion that is provided with an integrally molded pull ring for detaching the tubular cap portion.

United States Patent [72] Inventors CarlC.Monroe Orchard Lake; VernerVollquartz, Pontiac, both of Mich. [21] App]. No. 806,487 [22] FiledMar. 12, 1969 [45] Patented Sept. 28, 1971 [73] Assignee Ex-Cell-OCorporation Detroit, Mich.

[541 DISPOSABLE PRESSURE CONTAINER 5 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

52 us. C1 220/27,

220/24.5, 220/42 ES, 222/541, 229/35 R, 229/5.5 [51] Int. Cl B65d 17/00[50] Field of Search 220/27,

DIG. 1, 24.5, 38.5, 66, 67, 42 B, 39.5; 229/4.5, 5.5, 3.5,14 BI;222/570, 566, 546, 541

Primary ExaminerRaphael H. Schwartz Attorney-James H. Bower ABSTRACT: Adisposable, self-destruct, composite container for liquid goods, and inparticular, liquid goods having internal pressures, such as beer andcarbonated soft drinks. The container includes an elongated body membercomprising a paperboard cylinder which is provided with a plastic filmon its internal surface for restricting gas permeability and sealing ofliquid. The paperboard body member is provided with an exterior coatingof thermoplastic to provide a moisture barrier, and for cosmeticappearance purposes. The paperboard body member is closed at each of thetop and bottom ends thereof by a circular-shaped disc. The top disc hasan opening which is enclosed by a sealing plug means that includes anintegral tear-off tubular cap portion that is provided with anintegrally molded pull ring for detaching the tubular cap portion.

I \mm m PATENTEuseraaisn 3608.771

sum 2 UF 2 INV NTORS CAI? C M A0906 ATTORNEY DISPOSABLE PRESSURECONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates generally to disposable, paperboard containers, andmore particularly to a disposable, self-destruct paperboard containerfor goods having internal pressures to be retained and restrictedtherein.

2. Description of the Prior Art Disposable pressure containers are wellknown in the art. One example of the prior art disposable pressurecontainers is the conventional metal container used for beer, carbonatedsoft drinks, and like. A disadvantage of the prior art disposablepressure metal containers is that they are costly and present a disposalproblem.

Heretofore, attempts have also been made to provide disposablepaperboard pressure containers. A disadvantage of the prior artdisposable paperboard pressure containers is that they have not beencapable of retaining internal pressures for any length of time wherebysuch containers have minimum shelf life. Another disadvantage of theprior art disposable paperboard pressure containers is that they arecostly to manufacture, and due to their construction, they cannot bestacked easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally todisposable pressure containers, and more particularly to a novel andimproved disposable, self-destruct paperboard pressure container forgoods having internal pressures to be retained and restricted therein.

The disposable pressure container of the present invention includes anelongated body member comprising a paperboard cylinder which is providedwith a plastic film on its internal surface for the restriction of gaspermeability and the sealing of liquid. The paperboard body member isprovided with an exterior coating of thermoplastic to form an exteriormoisture barrier and for cosmetic appearance purposes. The body memberis closed at each of the top and bottom ends thereof by a closure meansformed as a circular-shaped disc. The top disc is provided with anopening which is enclosed by a sealing plug means that is provided withan integrally molded tear-off tubular cap portion which is provided withan integrally molded pull ring for detaching the tubular cap portion.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved disposable paperboard pressure container which overcomesthe aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art disposable pressurecontainers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved disposable paperboard pressure container which includes acylindrical paperboard body member that is coated on the inside thereofwith a plastic film that retains a pressure inside of the container soas to provide a disposable paperboard pressure container having longshelf life.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved disposable paperboard pressure container which includes acylindrical paper body member that may be made by conventionalpaperboard forming and sealing machines, and which may be filled byconventional pressure fluid filling and capping machines.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved disposable paperboard pressure container which includes aplastic-coated paperboard body member that is provided with shaped topand bottom circular discs which permit the containers to be easilystacked, one on top of the other.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved disposable paperboard pressure container which includes acoated cylindrical paperboard body member and a top end closure dischaving a sealing plug means which includes a reusable, tear-off capportion that can be snapped back into place for recapping purposes.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved disposable paperboard pressure container which is simpleand compact in construction, economical to manufacture and efficient inuse.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved disposable paperboard pressure container which includes acylindrical paperboard body member, a shaped bottom closure meansenclosing the bottom end of the body member, a shaped top closure meansenclosing the top end of the body member, said top closure means havingan opening which is enclosed by a sealing plug means provided with anintegrally molded tubular tear-off cap portion which is provided with aintegrally molded tear-off pull ring. The tubular cap portion may beprovided with external ring means so that it may function as a reusabletype of cap.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will beapparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, andthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view of adisposable pressure container made in accordance with the principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, top plan view of the disposable pressurecontainer illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, elevational section view of the disposablepressure container illustrated in FIG. 2, taken along the line 3-3thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, horizontal section view of thecontainer paperboard body illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along the line4-4 thereof, and looking the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section view of the sealing plug means illustratedin F IG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an elevational section view, similar to that of FIG. 5, andshowing a second embodiment of a sealing plug means employed in theinvention.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged portion of the cross-sectional surface of thesealing plug illustrating an inside surface coating.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of a third embodimentof a sealing plug means employed in the invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of a containerprovided with a modified bottom closure member.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of a containerprovided with a modified top closure member.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, elevational section view of a containerprovided with another modified top closure member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings,and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral I0 generally indicates adisposable paperboard pressure container made in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention. The container 10 includes a bodymember 11 which is formed as a paperboard cylinder that is illustratedin FIG. 4 as being spirally wound. It will be understood that thepaperboard cylindrical body member 11 may be made in one piece with anoverlaid seam, or by any other method of forming a paperboard cylinder.Any interior cut edges of the paperboard cylindrical body member 11 maybe sealed by any conventional method of sealing paperboard containers tomake such edges impervious to moisture and wicking.

The body member 11 is provided on the inner surface, indicated generallyby numeral lla FIG. 4, thereof with a suitable plastic film for therestriction of gas permeability and to seal liquids within thecontainer. A preferable plastic film for this purpose is one known andavailable on the market as Saran, which is a polyvinyl-chloride plastic.The body member 11 is provided with an exterior coating of suitableplastic, indicated generally by numeral in FIG. 4, such as polyethyleneplastic, or any similar material to provide an exterior moisturebarrier. In order to provide a self-destruct container, a short-lifeplastic would be used. The exterior plastic coating also enhances theexterior qualities of the container for cosmetic appearance purposes.FIG. 4 is not in accurate portion in reference to the various layers,typical dimensions for the layers would be for the layers of 11a and 11bwould be 0.001 and 0.002 of an inch and layer 11 to be 0.022 of an inch.

The disposable pressure container is closed at the bottom end thereof aclosure means generally indicate by the numeral l2 and at the bottomthereof by a top closure means generally indicated by the numeral 13.The top closure means 13 carries a sealing plug means generallyindicated by the numeral 14.

The bottom closure means 12 is an integral part of the assembledcomposite container 10 and it is formed as a disc. The disc forming thebottom closure means 12 may be shaped and formed by any suitableprocess, as for example, by a cold stamping process. The bottom closuremeans 12 is preferably made from a suitable plastic material having theproper characteristics necessary for a cold stamping process. The bottomclosure means 12 is preferably provided with a thin coating of theaforementioned Saran film to decrease permeability.

The outer circumference of the bottom closure disc 12 is channel-shapedshaped as indicated by the numeral 15 to provide a seal when the bottomdisc is assembled on the lower end of the paperboard body member 11 soas to prevent any moisture penetration by wicking into the substrate ofthe body member 11. The illustrated bottom disc 12 is provided with aconical shape 16 which extends inwardly of the body member 11 so as toafford a mechanical deflection of the body disc 12 when the container isfilled with liquid under pressure. The pressure inside of the container10 will provide a deflection or lengthening of the bottom disc 12downwardly to allow an increase in volume and a corresponding decreasein internal pressure. The flexing of the bottom disc 12 also provides asecondary function of acting as an internal type of spring orshock-absorbing means in case the container 10 is dropped.

It will be understood that the bottom disc 12 may be made in a varietyof basic shapes. The geometrical design of the bottom disc 12 may matewith the design of the top disc 13 so as to permit upward protrusion ofthe top disc 13 of one container into the bottom disc 12 of anothercontainer for perfect nesting vertically of the containers 10 at pointsof goods distribution or sale, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

It will be understood that the bottom disc 12 may be formed flat asillustrated in FIG. 8, wherein the parts of the container correspondingto the parts of the embodiment of FIG. 3 are marked with the samereference numerals followed by the small letter a."

The top closure means 13 is also illustrated as being in the form of ashaped disc. The disc 13 may be formed in the same manner as describedhereinbefore for the forming of the bottom disc 12. It may also beprovided with a thin plastic film in the same manner as the bottom disc12 to lessen gas permeability. The outer circumference of the top disc13 is provided with a channel 17 to provide a seal when assembled on theupper end of the paperboard body member 11 to prevent any moisturepenetration by wicking into the end of the paperboard body member 1 l.The top disc 13 is illustrated as being provided with an outwardlyextended conical shape 18 to enhance the pourability function of the topdisc 13 and for optimum accessibility for purposes of oral consumptionof the liquid within the container 10. The top disc 13 is pro with anopening 19 which is formed by a vertically disposed sleeve or neck 20that receives the plug means 14.

It will be understood that the top disc 13 may also be formed flat asillustrated in FIG. 9. The parts of the embodiment of FIG. 9 whichcorrespond to the embodiments of FIG. 3 have been marked with the samereference numerals followed by the small letter a.

The sealing plug means 14 is constructed from any suitable flexible ornonflexible material. It is preferably formed from a suitable plasticmaterial and coated on the inside thereof with a film of theaforementioned plastic Saran. FIG. 6A illustrates the Saran" as 22, thethickness of the layer 22 would be, for example, 0.001 to 0.002 of aninch. As best seen in FIG. 5, the sealing plug means 14 includes acylindrical plug body 21 which is adapted to be inserted into theopening 19 in the top disc 13 and sealed in place by any suitable means.The plug body 21 is provided on the lower end thereof with an integral,outwardly extended circumferential flange 22 on which is formed ashoulder 23. The plug body 21 is provided with a second circumferential,outwardly extended integral flange 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the neck 20of the top disc 13 is adapted to be received between the two flanges 22and 24 when the plug means 14 is snapped in place in the opening 19. Theouter periphery of the flange 22 is tapered inward downwardly, as forexample 30, to assist in snapping the plug means 14 in the opening 19.The outer periphery of the flange 24 is tapered inward upwardly, as forexample l5, for appearance purposes after assembly. The lower end of theneck 20 seats on the shoulder 23.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the sealing plug means 14 further includes theintegrally molded tubular cap portion 25 which is provided with anintegral circumferential flange 26 at the outer end thereof. The cap 25is extended inwardly in a conical shape, with any desired angle beingemployed, as for example an angle of 15. The flange 26 is connected byan integrally molded tear portion 29 which is molded to the top of theplug body 21. lntegrally molded to the cap flange 26 is a pull ring 27that is spaced from the flange 26 by an arcuate slot 28. As shown inFIG. 2, the pull ring 27 is integrally molded at the point 30 to the capflange 26. The tear portion 29 of the sealing plug means 14 is formed bya thin or reduced wall portion in the plug body 21. The tear portion 29is created by a V- shaped groove formed in the plug body 21 at the upperend thereof to provide a desired reduced wall thickness, as for examplea wall portion of 0.009 inch thickness.

It will be seen that when the pull ring 27 is lifted and pulled in anaxial direction, the portion of the pull ring that is connected to thedetachable cap portion 25 will form a mechanical leverage, therebyreducing the pull force necessary for rupturing the tear portion 29 forremoval of the detachable cap portion 25. The pull ring 27 is made to ageometrical design for enveloping the plug means 14 to decrease anyoverhanging tab, and also for cosmetic appearance purposes. Theillustrated design of the pull ring 27 also provides for easy stackingof the containers.

It will be understood that the body member 11 may be sealed to thebottom and top discs 12 and 13, respectively, in any suitable manner asfor example, by any conventional heat sealing process spin weldingprocess, and the like. It will also be understood that suitableadhesives or sealants may be used, if desired, at the contacting pointsof these container parts. The bottom and top discs 12 and 13,respectively, and the plug means 14 may also be made from a suitableshort-life plastic. if desired, to provide a self-destruct container. Itwill be seen, that if the various parts of the container 10 are madefrom a suitable short-life plastic, the container will have the abilityto seIf-destruct when left to natural environmental forces.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a sealing plug means adaptedfor employment in a container 10 made in accordance with the principlesof the present invention. The only dilference between the embodiment ofFIG. 5 and that of FIG. 6 is that the tear-off portion 29a in FIG. 6 isshown as being disposed and elongated in the vertical or axial directionand formed as a thin wall portion. The tear-off portion 29a may be madeto any desired operative thickness, as for example 0.009 inch. The partsof the embodiment of FIG. 6 which correspond to the parts of theembodiment of FIG. 5 are marked with the same reference numeralsfollowed by the small letter a."

FIG. 7 illustrates a third embodiment of a sealing plug means made inaccordance with the principles of the present invention. The parts ofthe sealing plug embodiment 14b of FIG. 7 which are the same as thesealing plug embodiment 14 of FIG. 5, are marked with the same referencenumerals followed by the small letter b." In the embodiment of FIG. 7,the tear portion 29b is formed horizontally, on the inner surface of theplug body 21, at the upper end thereof, so as to extend inwardtransversely of the body member 11. Integrally formed on the outerperiphery of the cap 25b is at least one V- shaped ring 31. It will beunderstood that a plurality of V- shaped rings 31 may be employed, asillustrated in FIG. 7, and that the rings 31 may be formed as continuousspiral threads, or as individual annular V-rings. The cap 25billustrated in FIG. 7 may be reused by merely pushing it into the plugbody 21b, whereby the V-rings 31 will form a mechanical seal with theplug body 211) for recapping purposes. The V-rings 31 will snap underthe internal horizontal ring which will be left on the upper end of theplug body 21b when the cap 25b is initially removed from the body 21b.If the V-rings 31 are formed as a continuous thread, the cap 25b may bescrewed back into place for a recapping operation.

FIG. 10 illustrates a modified embodiment of a top closure means 130 andsealing plug means 140. The parts of the top closure means 13c and thesealing plug which are the same as the corresponding parts of theembodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5, have been marked with the samereference numerals followed by the small letter c." In the embodiment ofFIG. 10, the central portion of the disc has been changed to provide adifferently shaped neck portion 200. The neck portion 200 is provided onthe lower end thereof with an inwardly extended flange 32 through whichis formed an opening 33 for the reception of the sealing plug means 140.The sealing plug means 14c is provided with an annular groove 34 aroundthe lower end of the body 21c, on the outer surface thereof, and at apoint adjacent to the shoulder 23c. The groove 34 is illustrated asbeing V-shaped in cross section, however, it will be understood thatthis groove may be formed with any desired cross-sectional shape.

The angular groove 34 is adapted to be filled with a flexible sealingmaterial so as to form a flexible O-ring at the peripheral surface ofthe opening 33 formed through the flange 32 as as to seal the raw edgeof the flange 32. It will be understood that the opening 33 is formedthrough the flange 32 by any suitable means, as by a suitable punchingoperation. As shown in FIG. 10, when the sealing plug means 140 issnapped into the opening 33, the lower face of the flange 32 will seaton the shoulder 23c and the apex portion of the disc 18c will abut theunderside of the flange 24c. It will also be understood that a suitableflexible sealing material may be applied to the underside of the flange24c and to the shoulder 230 to provide a flexible seal between the topdisc portions 18c and 32, and the sealing plug means 14c. The sealingplug means 140 may be provided with any of the aforedescribed tearportions 29, 29 a or 29b.

It will be seen that the disposable pressure container of the presentinvention provides an efficient and economical container for liquidsunder pressure as for example, beer and car bonated pop. The user mayquickly and easily remove the cap 25 by pulling axially outward on thepull ring 27 to rupture the tear portion 29 and remove the cap 25 fromthe container 10.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of theinvention herein disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objectsabove stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptibleto modification, variation and change.

What we claim is:

1. In a disposable pressure container for holding a liquid underpressure, the combination comprising:

a. paperboard body member having an open top end and an open bottom end;

b. a bottom closure means sealably attached to the bottom end of saidbody member for enclosing said open bottom end; c. a top closure meanssealably attached to the top end of said body member for enclosing saidopen top end; d. said body member being coated on the inner surfacethereof with a film of gas impervious plastic material;

e. a sealing plug means sealably mounted in said opening in the topclosure means;

f. said sealing plug means including an integrally molded tear-ofi capportion;

g. said body member is coated on its outer surface with a moistureimpervious plastic material;

h. a cylindrical plug body inserted in said opening;

i. a tear portion integrally connecting said plug body to said tear-offcap portion;

j. a thin integral, radially inward-extended projection on the innersurface of the plug body, at the outer end thereof, and between the plugbody and the cap portion; and

k. said cap portion is provided on the external surface with at leastone integral, outwardly extended peripheral projection at a positionaxially outward of said tear portion, whereby the cap portion may beinserted into the boy member with the projection on the cap memberpassing over the projection on the plug body to recap the container.

2. In a disposable pressure container for holding a liquid underpressure, the combination comprising:

a. a paperboard body member having an open top end and an open bottomend;

b. a bottom closure means sealably attached to the bottom end of saidbody member for enclosing said open bottom end;

c. a top closure means sealably attached to the top end of said bodymember for enclosing said open top end;

d. said body member being coated on the inner surface thereof with afilm of gas impervious plastic material;

e. a sealing plug means sealably mounted in said opening in the topclosure means;

f. said sealing plug means including an integrally molded tear-off capportion;

g. said body member is coated on its outer surface wit h a moistureimpervious plastic material;

h. a cylindrical plug body inserted in said opening;

i. a tear portion integrally connecting said plug body to saidtear-oficap portion:

j.'a thin integral, radially inward-extended projection on the innersurface of the plug body, at the outer end thereof, and between the plugbody and the cap portion;

k. the radial projection on the plug body is shaped as a ring;

and

I. said cap portion is formed with a cylindrical external surface and isprovided on the external surface with a least one integral, outwardlyextended circumferential projection at a position axially outward ofsaid tear portion, whereby the cap portion may be inserted into the bodymember with the projection on the cap member passing over the projectionon the plug body to recap the container.

3. A disposable pressure container as defined in claim 2,

wherein:

a. each of said projections on the cap portion comprises a single ring.

4. A disposable pressure container as defined in claim 2,

wherein:

a'. each of said projections on the cap portion comprises a portion of acontinuous thread configuration that extends continuously around the capportion for a number of turns.

5. A disposable pressure container as defined in claim 2,

wherein:

a. each of said projections on the cap portion is V-shaped in crosssection.

1. In a disposable pressure container for holding a liquid underpressure, the combination comprising: a. a paperboard body member havingan open top end and an open bottom end; b. a bottom closure meanssealably attached to the bottom end of said body member for enclosingsaid open bottom end; c. a top closure means sealably attached to thetop end of said body member for enclosing said open top end; d. saidbody member being coated on the inner surface thereof with a film of gasimpervious plastic material; e. a sealing plug means sealably mounted insaid opening in the top closure means; f. said sealing plug meansincluding an integrally molded tearoff cap portion; g. said body memberis coated on its outer surface with a moisture impervious plasticmaterial; h. a cylindrical plug body inserted in said opening; i. a tearportion integrally connecting said plug body to said tear-off capportion; j. a thin integral, radially inward-extended projection on theinner surface of the plug body, at the outer end thereof, and betweenthe plug body and the cap portion; and k. said cap portion is providedon the external surface with at least one integral, outwardly extendedperipheral projection at a position axially outward of said tearportion, whereby the cap portion may be inserted into the body memberwith the projection on the cap member passing over the projection on theplug body to recap the container.
 2. In a disposable pressure containerfor holding a liquid under pressure, the combination comprising: a. apaperboard body member having an open top end and an open bottom end; b.a bottom closure means sealably attached to the bottom end of said bodymember for enclosing said open bottom end; c. a top closure meanssealably attached to the top end of said body member for enclosing saidopen top end; d. said body member being coated on the inner surfacethereof with a film of gas impervious plastic material; e. a sealingplug means sealably mounted in said opening in the top closure means; f.said sealing plug means including an integrally molded tear-off capportion; g. said body member is coated on its outer surface with amoisture impervious plastic material; h. a cylindrical plug bodyinserted in said opening; i. a tear portion integrally connecting saidplug body to said tear-off cap portion: j. a thin integral, radiallyinward-extended projection on the inner surface of the plug body, at theouter end thereof, and between the plug body and the cap portion; k. theradial projection on the plug body is shaped as a ring; and l. said capportion is formed with a cylindrical external surface and is provided onthe external surface with at least one integral, outwardly extendedcircumferential projection at a position axially outward of said tearportion, whereby the cap portion may be inserted into the body memberwith the projection on the cap member passing over the projection on theplug body to recap the container.
 3. A disposable pressure container asdefined in claim 2, wherein: a. each of said projections on the capportion comprises a single ring.
 4. A disposable pressure container asdefined in claim 2, wherein: a. each of said projections on the capportion comprises a portion of a continuous thread configuration thatextends continuously around the cap portion for a number of turns.
 5. Adisposable pressure container as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. each ofsaid projections on the cap portion is V-shaped in cross section.